Hold-down clamp



I Nov. 27, -1 945. WQ D 2,390,022

HOLD DOWN CLAMP Filed July 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l my. I 22 Inventor J'ieriz By WM e p Nov. 27, 1945. s. A. WOOD HOLD DOWN CLAMP Filed July 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor By Q2... 1

Patented Nov. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in hold down clamps adapted for attaching to a work bench, machine table or other supporting structure and embodying the provision of a screw operated lever designed to exert the necessary pressure on the work for holding the same in a desired position.

An important object of the present invention is to provide adjusting means for the clamp by means of which work of a wide range in size may be suitably clamped in position.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable in performance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 4-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary group perspective view of the adjustable link connection between the screw and the lever.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a frame generally which includes a front post 6, rear post 1 and upper and lower members 8 and 9 connecting the posts.

The lower frame member 9 is adapted for attaching to the machine table II] of a drill press, or other suitable supporting structure by means of a bolt and nut l I.

The front post 6 is formed with a plurality of vertically spaced openings l2 adapted for selectively receiving a pin l3 on which a lever I4 is pivotally mounted at its intermediate portion.

The lever I4 is formed of a pair of spacedparallel arms, having their front ends secured in spaced apart relation by means of an'angle iron brace H, the arms being positioned at opposite sides of the post 6. The rear ends of the arms are formed with offsets 18 to more closely space the inner ends of the arms and are connected by a bolt l9 freely inserted in a slotted opening 20 formed in a link 2|.

The rear end of *the link is pivoted on a pin 22 selectively positioned in vertically spaced openings 23 in the rear post 1.

The front end of the link 2i is formed with a slotted opening 24 positioned in the bifurcated lower end of a head 25 and pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin 29. The head 25 is formed on the lower end of a screw 26 which is threaded through the upper frame member 8 and provided at its upper end with a manipulating wheel '2'! having a hub 28 threaded on the screwabove the frame member 8 whereby the turning of the wheel will cause the vertical movement of the screw through the frame member.

The lower edge of the arms are preferably rounded as shown at 29 by means of which a better clamping engagement is afforded with the work during the adjustment of the clamping lever l4.

By reason of the connection of the screw 26 with the front end of the link 2| and the connection of the rear end of the clamping lever 14 with the intermediate portion of the link a compound leverage action is provided for the free end of the clamping lever M to produce an increased clamping pressure on the work engaged thereby.

In the operation of the device the work is placedon the machine table 19 under the rounded ends 29 of the clamping lever and by raising the screw 26 upwardly the free end of the lever 24 will be moved downwardly into clamping engagement with the work.

The lever 14 and link 2| may be adjusted vertically in the frame 5 in accordance with the size of the work to be clamped.

It is believed that the details of construction and manner of use of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing without further explanation.

Having described the invention, what is claimed 1. A hold down clamp comprising a frame in cluding front and rear posts, means for securing the frame to a supporting structure, a clamping lever, means for pivotally attaching the clamping lever at an intermediate portion thereof in vertically adjusted position to the front post, a link, means for pivotally attaching one end of the link in vertically adjusted position to the rear post, means for pivotally connecting the rear end of the clamping lever to an intermediate portion of the link and a manually operable screw mounted for vertical movement in the frame and pivotally attached to the other end of said link.

2. A hold down clamp comprising a frame including front and rear posts, means for securing the frame to a supporting structure, a clamping lever, means for pivotally attaching the clamping lever at an intermediate portion thereof in vertically adjusted position to the front post, a link, means for pivotally attaching one end of the link in vertically adjusted position to the rear post, means for pivotally and slidably connecting the rear end of the clamping lever to an intermediate portion of the link and a manually operable screw mounted for vertical movement in the frame and pivotally and slidably attached to the other end of said link, said clamping lever having a rounded free end and adapted for movement into contacting engagement with work positioned on the supporting structure.

STERLING A. WOOD. 

